Travel Insurance for Skiing and Snowboarding
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance for winter sports. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
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Fresh tracks and bluebird days make for epic ski trips, yet accidents can happen no matter your level of experience. If you’re just learning to snowboard or you’re a ski bum chasing winter, World Nomads travel insurance may be able to help you and your family when the unexpected hits your next winter sports adventure.
- What does ski and snowboard travel insurance cover?
- Why consider travel insurance when skiing or snowboarding?
- What's not covered by travel insurance?
- Get a travel insurance quote
What does ski and snowboard travel insurance cover?
As passionate ski bums, we’ve designed our plans to cover the style of skiing and snowboarding our Nomads love the most:
- Skiing and snowboarding at resorts around the world, including within resort terrain parks
- Cross country skiing on marked trails
- Skiing (by helicopter/snow cat)
- Snowboarding (by helicopter/snow cat)
- Snowmobiling (on land), ice skating, snow rafting, and more
When you buy your policy, you’ll need to list all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Our policies are divided into three levels with different coverages and premiums associated with each one. Skiing and snowboarding fall into Level 2 or 3. In addition to your time on the slopes, we can also offer coverage for more than 250 other activities, like sledding, surfing, hiking and more.
Please contact us if you have any questions around coverage for any activities you plan to do.
Why should I consider travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding?
Thousands of sports enthusiasts tackle the slopes every season, usually without any major incident. But adventure sports can be risky, especially when frosty temperatures and spine-rattling runs are part of the picture. Add the fact that ski trips can be really expensive between renting gear, buying lift tickets and booking a plane ticket. The cost can easily run into the thousands of dollars just for one day on the mountain. That expense is worth protecting!
If your next vacation includes skiing or snowboarding, you could find yourself needing help for everything ranging from delayed flights due to a snowstorm, to damaged equipment to emergency evacuation.
Here are a few scenarios where travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding could be a real asset. Just remember these are example scenarios only and you will need to read your policy for exact details. All claims require documentation and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Accidents on the Slopes
Whether you’re in fresh powder or on the bunny hill, navigating steep (and even not so steep) terrain can be tricky. It only takes one bad fall or collision to end up with a broken ankle, a dislocated shoulder, or a wrist fracture. Emergency medical bills can be just as painful as a crash. This is where travel insurance can soften the blow.
Emergency Help
When you get hurt on a mountain, getting transportation to a hospital can be critical. Our ski and snowboard travel insurance plans cover ambulance service to transport you to the hospital. Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you every step of the way, too. If your treating physician recommends you return to your home province because of your medical condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement under your World Nomads travel insurance for your airfare or, when medically necessary, medical air evacuation to your home province.
Be sure to contact our emergency assistance team before seeking medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation. Our emergency assistance coordination team can provide guidance, and in some cases, be able to arrange direct payment to providers.
Damaged or stolen ski or snowboard equipment
If your skis or snowboard have been lost or damaged by your common carrier, or stolen after your arrival, you could get reimbursed for the current value (which factors in depreciation) of your equipment.
If your bags are delayed for 12 hours or more in transit to your destination, your plan may also cover the cost of rental equipment for your use while you’re waiting for a resolution from your carrier. Note that damage to sporting equipment while in use is not covered.
Weather Delays
Snowstorms are great for the mountains, but not so good for your flights. If your regularly scheduled common carrier is delayed for three hours or is cancelled due to inclement weather, you may be eligible for coverage for trip interruption as part of your ski and snowboard travel insurance plan. This means you may receive reimbursement for your non-refundable, prepaid and unused expenses for ski tickets, accommodations, etc.. if you can’t make it to your winter wonderland.
You wouldn’t forget to pack your ski jacket and gloves – so why would you leave home without travel insurance?
What's not covered in ski and snowboard travel insurance?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Here are a few of our exclusions:
- Participation in a race or competition as a professional athlete
- Search and rescue costs
- Sporting equipment damaged while in use
- Delayed baggage and sporting equipment on the way home from your trip.
Get a travel insurance quote
Ready to hit the slopes? When you get a quote you can compare our Standard and Explorer plans and decide which one might best suit your needs. If you have any questions, get in touch and we can help you decide which travel insurance is best for your next winter sport adventure. Coverage is available for international trips or for domestic trips outside of your home province.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.
Cross Country Crash Course
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Ski buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Slipped on ice?
- Tore your ACL or MCL?
- Popped a shoulder?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Road or air ambulance?
- Flight assistance?
- Medivac needed home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- GoPro stolen?
- Bags lost in transit?
- Luggage delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact the teamSkiing and Snowboarding Travel Insurance
Stay protected on the slopes with World Nomads travel insurance.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- Why should I consider travel insurance when skiing or snowboarding?
- What's covered for ski and snowboard travel insurance?
- What's not covered for ski and snowboard travel insurance?
Fresh tracks and bluebird days will make for an epic trip, yet accidents on and off the hill do happen, even to the most experienced skiers or boarders. Whether you’re just learning or you’re a veteran ski bum chasing seasons, World Nomads travel insurance* may be able to help when the unexpected hits your next winter adventure.
From plans with different coverages like pre-trip medical support and car rental protection to emergency evacuations, optional cancel-for-any-reason coverage, and travel credits up to $750 if trails are closed due to too much (or not enough) snow, we’ve got your back. Here’s what you need to know about travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding.
Why should I consider travel insurance when skiing or snowboarding?
Thousands of sports enthusiasts tackle the slopes every season, usually without any major incident. But adventure sports can be risky, especially when frosty temperatures and spine-rattling runs are part of the picture.
If your next vacation includes time on the slopes, you may find yourself needing help for a serious medical emergency, evacuation, or repatriation back home, or simply for disappointing travel inconveniences related to too much or not enough snow preventing you from skiing during the trip. Some plans let you cancel for any reason and also include non-insurance services like pre-trip medical support and even rental car damage protection.
You wouldn’t forget to pack your ski jacket and gloves – so why would you leave home without travel insurance*?
Here are a few case scenarios where travel insurance for skiing and snowboarding may be a real asset. Just remember these are example scenarios only. All claims require documentation and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
You could get into an accident
Whether you’re on- or off trail, navigating steep (and even not so steep terrain) can be tricky. It only takes one bad fall or collision to end up with a broken ankle, a dislocated shoulder, or a wrist fracture. Emergency medical bills (including those incurred overseas) can be just as painful as a crash. This is where travel insurance may soften the blow.
Bad weather can cause delays, destruction, and cancellations
Maybe an avalanche buried your lodge or a snowstorm delayed your connecting flight. Our plans cover inclement weather under certain circumstances, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel inconveniences, and trip delay coverage due to a variety of reasons, including natural disasters.
Furthermore, our coverage for skiers and snowboarders even extends to how weather affects the activities you do on the trip. This way, you can confidently book your ski trip knowing that you may be covered if inclement weather like a blizzard (or a complete lack of snow) causes your trip to be changed.
You need to get to a far away hospital
When you get hurt on a mountain, getting transportation to a hospital can be critical. The 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help plan your evacuation so that it’s timely and efficient, subject to doctors' approval (remember to call the Emergency Assistance Team first, before arranging evacuation). And thanks to travel insurance, it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.
Your equipment may get lost or stolen
If your skis or snowboard have been lost or damaged by your common carrier, or stolen after your arrival, you may get reimbursed for the current value of your equipment (which factors in depreciation) or the cost of a replacement, up to a per item and total maximum limit.
Our plans also includes non-insurance services like Blue Ribbon Baggage, which will track and expedite the return of your airline baggage. Note that if your ski or snowboard gear is delayed, lost, or damaged, you must report the incident as soon as possible to a responsible officer for the carrier. Make sure you get a Property Irregularity Report, or a similar official report, in writing and make a claim directly with the carrier first before making a claim with us.
Please note we do not offer coverage for damage to sporting equipment while in use.
What's covered for ski and snowboard travel insurance?
World Nomads travel insurance is designed to help you explore your boundaries. We automatically provide coverage for more than 250 activities on and off the slopes.
As passionate ski bums, we’ve designed our plans to cover the style of riding our Nomads love the most***:
- Skiing and boarding within resorts.
- Cross country and Nordic skiing on marked trails.
- Terrain parks.
- Heli-skiing and heli-boarding.
- Acrobatic, free-style, jumping, flying and stunt skiing; speed riding and ski racing (Explorer or Epic plan only, check yours carefully).
- Snowmobiling, ice skating, snow kiting, snow rafting, and more.
Coverage is available for international trips or for domestic trips more than 100 miles from home and can also include these unique benefits (plan dependent):
- Get $250 per incident as a ‘travel inconvenience’ (up to plan limits) if your ski resort closes all or part of its facilities for at least one day due to lack of snow or inclement weather that causes a cessation of services. You must have purchased the Explorer or Epic plan within the time sensitive period in order to be eligible.
- Receive reimbursement for your ski lift ticket if at least 50% of the trails or slopes are closed for at least eight consecutive hours for various reasons, subject to terms and conditions. Read your plan for details of this “Trip Interruption” benefit.
- Gear coverage: Sporting equipment may be covered when stolen or if checked into your transportation carrier, lost or damaged. This coverage is secondary (excess) to any coverage provided by your carrier.
***Each coverage plan differs in its coverage of skiing or snowboarding activities. Conditions and exclusions apply. Review the plans and check out our Help Center article adventure sports coverage to choose the right plan for your trip.
What's not covered for ski and snowboard travel insurance?
- Sporting equipment damaged from use.
- Delayed baggage on the way home from your trip.
- Being paid to compete in a sporting event.
- Search-and-rescue missions.
- If you travel against medical advice.
- Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period and were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
- Travel within 100 miles of your home.
Get a quote
Ready to hit the slopes? When you get a quote you can compare our Standard, Explorer, and Epic Plans and decide which one might best suit your needs.
Travel a lot? Then our Annual Plan may be best for you. Still not sure? Get in touch and we can help you decide which travel insurance is best for your next snow adventure.
We cover 250+ activities you love
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Has an avalanche closed the road to the resort?
- Has a snow storm canceled your flight?
- Are you or a close relative seriously sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Slipped on ice?
- Tore your ACL or MCL?
- Crashed in the terrain park?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Road or air ambulance?
- Flight assistance?
- Medevac needed home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Go Pro or laptop stolen?
- Skis or board damaged by the airlines?
- Luggage lost or delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact the teamFAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about ski and snowboarding travel insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask our customer service team.
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Are search and rescue missions covered?
Unfortunately, no. They are excluded from the plan, although there are provisions for emergency evacuation and medical expenses.
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What should I do if I get injured on the mountain?
Contact ski patrol to get immediate local assistance if you’re on the slopes. If you’re already in the village, contact the 24/7Emergency Assistance team so they can direct you to the nearest medical facility, and help arrange treatment or emergency evacuation, if required.
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Will you cover me if the resorts are closed because of lack of snow?
In most instances, this is a case scenario that’s not covered by the plan. Travel insurance doesn’t protect you from the loss of enjoyment. However, if your lodging is uninhabitable because of a natural disaster, you could qualify for trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage.
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Does my travel insurance cover medical costs upfront?
The plans are in excess to any other insurance you may have. You should pay upfront and then claim reimbursement with your primary insurance first and the difference can be submitted to us.
